A GROWING number of people are still battling the fallout from having Covid-19 – months after symptoms first appeared.

The self-named “long-haulers” say they face spontaneous bouts of fatigue, chest pains, breathlessness and loss of sensory functions and face no sign of getting better.

One such “long-hauler” is Guy Lloyd, 50, from Brighton, who first contracted coronavirus in March.

The BBC Sussex and Gaydio presenter said: “I was not worried about the virus at all, from all the media reports, you were either going to die or get better within a couple of weeks like the flu.

“I had all the classic symptoms the first weekend such as a high temperature and cough.

“That quickly went away and after a couple of days I thought ‘oh, that wasn’t too bad’.”

It soon became clear to Mr Lloyd that the virus was still affecting his body as other symptoms began to appear.

He said: “A tight chest started to develop – the breathlessness, tiredness and the fatigue.

“I’ve had joint pain, muscle spasms and I’ve lost my sense of taste.

“I tested negative in week six and I’ve been back to work twice for a couple of weeks, but then I begin to relapse and the symptoms keep creeping back in.”

NHS England has launched a new service for people with ongoing health problems called “Your Covid Recovery”.

The Government says “tens of thousands” of people have long-term symptoms and has created an online portal for people to access tutorials, contact healthcare workers and track their progress.

Many “long-haulers” are anxious about the unexplained symptoms with a huge impact on sufferer’s lives.

Mr Lloyd, who has been experiencing symptoms for four months, said the condition is not being adequately recognised by health professionals and employers.

He said: “I’ve had blood tests, lung scans and heart tests – but nothing has been found.

“They do not know, I’ve been referred for more tests but it’s just all speculation. The issue is that GPs, doctors and employers need to recognise that it’s an illness in and of itself.

“Regardless of a negative Covid test, we are still sufferers.”

In a message to the people who are still experiencing the symptoms of coronavirus, he added: “Rest, eat well and don’t return to work if you’re not ready.

“Look for support and find people who are going through the same thing – there’s plenty of Facebook groups out there.”